There are many different ways to be
certain that your finances are doing just fine, as we approach the end of the
year. Learning how to report scam emails just so happens to be one of them, and
unfortunately, this always gets ignored. So in the end, lots of people get
their cash taken by scammers each year. Even though 2015 has already been
labeled as a year filled with scams, 2016 was filled with plenty of brand new
schemes, especially with the looming US elections. These scammers take
advantage of the election fever, the latest trends in technology, and lastly,
an unlikely partnership with the government.
According to the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS), there was a surge of at least 400% when it came to both phishing
emails and malware incidents, especially during the tax season. Different forms
of these scams can be seen through text messages, as well as the communications
that are being aired in every part of the country.
Certain types of online scam emails
were especially created to fool taxpayers into thinking that these are genuine
emails from the IRS, or some other tax software company. These emails might ask the taxpayers about
various topics. They will also try to find information connected to refunding,
filing status, and confirming personal info, as well as ordering transcripts
and verifying the victim’s PIN number.
Right now, the IRS is sending out a
warning to taxpayers about a phishing email that’s spreading across the
Internet. The email pretends to be from a tax software provider, and will attempt
to trick professionals into filling their computers with dangerous and harmful
software. If spotted, report scam emails to the authorities immediately.
When a person clicks on a fraudulent
email link, they will be taken over to a Website that is made to look like a
legitimate Website, like the IRS Website. These Websites will request for your
social security number, as well as other questions about your personal info.
This can actually be used to help you file fake tax returns. There’s also a
huge possibility that the Website carries malware, which can greatly infect
your computer and let hackers into your files or trace your keystrokes, so they
can acquire private information from you.
How
To Report Scam Emails During Tax Season
Report scam emails from highly
suspicious strangers you meet online, especially if they claim to be working
for the IRS or the Tax Department. Feel free to report voicemails and
phonecalls coming from the same suspicious individuals. They might be a hacker
who wants your personal information so they can steal your cash.
In one more version of an
impersonation scam, these hackers might tell you that they’re an employee of a
bank from somewhere foreign, like China. They will inform you that your
identity has been used to send a couple of packages that include fake passports
or weapons, or for applying an overseas Visa. Report scam emails and traces of
your conversation with the hacker if you encounter them online.
